Rewinding time, Amber had finished conversing with Ariel about the passing of her pet and partner, Shadow. Still shaken psychologically from recent events, Amber sluggishly walked down the infirmary hallway.

As she approached an infirmary room, she heard muffled voices and immediately recognized them as Sariel and Aiden. Due to the guilt she felt, Amber never entered the room but instead stood close by to hear their conversation.

Aiden and Sariel seemed to have already gone through treatment for the injuries they sustained by Jack. Like Amber, they were both wearing patient overalls.

"Sigh, the doctors said the treatment was only partially successful. I can still feel the pain despite the painkillers I received," Aiden stated. "My ribs sustained much more damage than I thought. Right after I got these burn scars, and I can barely see through my eye that was damaged by that mafia woman."

"Yeah, you've gone through a lot, Aiden, but you've always been important in every fight," Sariel commended. "You've always been a skilled soldier."

"I just want to prove I'm strong," Aiden responded. "But I let my ego get in the way. If I had kept Jack from moving, we would have won and I wouldn't be this injured...Now, I'm unsure how helpful I can be."

"You should focus on getting better. You've done well so far. You've proved to me that you're not the same as the Aiden from the first day...or the same as Baran," Sariel said.

"...Yeah."

"Now, it's time for me to pull my weight. I need to get even stronger," Sariel continued. "Seeing Jack's behavior towards Amber, I'm sure he'll recklessly come to finish her off."

"...That won't happen," Aiden stated with furrowed eyebrows.

"Yeah, it won't. Our superiors have been planning how to put Jack down for good," Sariel explained. "So, I will get stronger...to make myself useful as well. I won't stand to see my friend suffer anymore."

Amber had listened to their conversation and heard their motivation and declaration. Once again, this sturred up memories of Jack vowing to make her and her friends suffer before killing them.

Amber continued to think of the implications of Jack's declaration as she walked off.

I keep getting my friends...injured. It's my fault that Ariel...lost Shadow. This all happened because of me and I'm doing...nothing. Amber pondered as she walked. She had kept her head down in response to her sorrowful mood. What Sariel said is true. Jack may come here...for me. Even though we all fought him...we stood no chance while he played around. If he comes...everyone close to me...will die.

The thought that her friends could die because of her caused Amber to tear up slightly.

I'm supposed to save everyone...I said I wouldn't lose again. Amber thought as she wiped her eyes. Suddenly, she stopped in her tracks. I-I can't stay on this campus. I have to go...to keep everyone...from this mess.

Resolving herself, Amber immediately moved off.

* * *

Amber had left the campus entirely and was presently on the streets of London. Not knowing what she should do and wanting to protect her dear friends and instructors, Amber ran as fast as she could.

I'm sorry, my daughter. Amber's goddess spoke to her suddenly. It fills me with sorrow seeing you in such hardship.

Please...don't feel sorry, god. I'm the one...who caused this mess...Amber responded. My leaving...is for the best...

AAAHHHHHH!!!!

Amid her conversation, Amber heard the desperate cries of a civilian down a few blocks.

"W-What!?"

* * *

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"If you don't want to die, hand over everything you've got!" A middle-aged man with an unhinged look demanded as he aimed a firearm at a defenseless and panicked lady. She was clutching her red colored handbag, although she was visibly scared.

"P-Please! Don't kill me!" The lady pleaded.

"Then give me your damn handbag! Even if I don't kill you, you'll die anyway!" The robber yelled. "Jack the Ripper is in this country, so I should enjoy myself before he kills us all!"

"N-No!"

Annoyed by her constant unwillingness to give up her valuables despite her obvious fear, the man grabbed the woman's bag. That caused her to become more fearful as they both began struggling.

"Tsk, just give me the damn bag--"

Before the man could overpower her, he suddenly noticed strange wires coming around his body. The wires seemed to be made of radiating, amber-yellow energy. Before he could react, the ropes wrapped around him, binding the criminal completely.

"What the...UGH!" The robber uttered as the wires caused minor burns on his body. He also fell to the ground due to his legs also being restricted.

Though the woman had no clue what happened, she took the opportunity to escape. The thief could only watch as she ran off with an extremely uncomfortable expression from the burns and the bindings.

The cause of this was Amber, who stood at a building near the man.

Hmm, those combat knives I reinforced and the barriers I used while fighting against that demon. I'm understanding a bit more about my blessing. Amber thought. If I use my imagination, I can do even more with the blessing you gave me, god.

Yes, that's right, my daughter. I wanted to commend you, but I didn't think your mood was the best at the time... The goddess spoke to Amber. But your soul has gotten even stronger!

Yes, if only I had grown quicker. No...now's not the time for regrets. Amber told herself. I will defeat that demon myself and peace will return without endangering any of those dear to me!

"Ah, so this is where you went, huh?" Ryzen's voice was audible as he casually walked past the restrained thief and up to Amber. "Man, you are desperate, huh?"

"M-Mr. Ryzen? H-How did you find me?" Amber questioned with a bewildered expression. "I-I didn't tell anyone...that I left."

"Well, it didn't take long for your disappearance to become known...in this case, Kreuger told me that you left," Ryzen explained. "With my abilities, finding you would be easy."

"I-I see."

"Let me guess, because of your desire to kill Jack and your concern for your friends, you decided to leave the Enlightenment Program to take care of him yourself, huh?" Ryzen speculated. As Ryzen correctly deduced her reasons, Amber's expression turned downtrodden. It's been a while since I saw people with such an insane resolve, like Amber and Jack.

"Yeah, you're right, Mr. Ryzen. I want to finish this myself, so the ones dear to me won't suffer anymore," Amber agreed. "I won't go back, even if you force me."

"No, no. You got me all wrong, Amber. I'm not here to convince you to go back. It's the opposite, really," Ryzen corrected, which caused Amber's eyebrows to rise in confusion.

"Y-You're not?"

"Nope, I think you should do this. However, if you fight Jack as you are, you will lose and be killed," Ryzen stated. "So, if you agree, I can bring you to an old friend who can help you grow faster."

"W-What?"

"You heard me. Are you going to accept the help?" Ryzen inquired.

Hearing that question, Amber couldn't help but feel conflicted. She wanted to find and end Jack immediately, but she remembered how much he played with her and her friends when they jumped him. That was when she heard the voice of her goddess.

You should take this opportunity, my daughter. Amber's god spoke. This will lead you on the right path.

Smiling, Amber responded, "Yes, I'll accept."

"Good choice," Ryzen said as he approached her and placed his hand on Amber's shoulder. "Let's go now."

"Wha--" Before Amber could ask anything, they both disappeared.

* * *

Before Amber's eyes, the scenery completely changed. Ryzen had teleported them to a temple-like structure situated on several mountains.

"W-Wha!? Where are we!?" Amber questioned with a shocked expression.

"We're in the continent of Asia, specifically Mount Fuji, Japan," Ryzen said. "The old friend I was telling you about lives in this temple."

How did we get here so fast!?

Suddenly, Ryzen knocked on the door to alert whoever was inside his and Amber's presence.

"Your combat skill and power is much greater than since your first day, but it's still sloppy," Ryzen continued. "Not only will you get much stronger in less time, but you'll train to flow like water and strike like a hurricane."

"T-That sounds pretty cool!" Amber responded with a brightened expression.

Annoyed at the lack of response after knocking for so long, Ryzen began banging on the door much harder. That, of course, surprised Amber.

"U-Um, Mr. Ryzen? Must you hit the door that hard?"

"Don't worry."

Suddenly, the door quickly flew open. It was obvious the person occupying the temple was annoyed by the loud banging, judging by the force at which the door swung open.

"Finally, Sharma. You answered," Ryzen said with a friendly smile as if he didn't repeatedly bang on the door.

Wearing the same non-traditional miko outfit, the one who stood before them was Sharma, who Ryzen had spoken with before joining the Enlightenment Program as an instructor.

"Ryzen! Would you quit all that noise--huh?" Sharma attempted to scold him, but her gaze shifted to the surprised Amber.

"I brought you a student, Sharma," Ryzen said as he gestured at Amber. "This is Amber Hoss."

"U-Um, hello, Ms. Sharma," Amber shyly greeted. "Sorry for the noise..."

Surprised by this, Sharma stared at her with widened eyes.

F-Finally! A student after so long!